How to Prepare for Your Surgery: Naples Plastic Surgery Highlights Five Pre-Operative Tips

If you’ve decided to rejuvenate your body or facial features with plastic surgery in the Naples or Fort Myers area, your excitement about your renewed appearance will undoubtedly grow as the procedure date nears. Whether to create a slimmer profile, a shapelier figure, or to restore your youthful looks, your mounting exuberance is justified as the age-defying renewal plastic surgery can give to your features will boost your self-esteem.

To help ensure the best aesthetic outcome and timely recovery from your procedure, you should prepare for the surgery by diligently following your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions. With a stellar decades-long record of helping thousands of Southwest Florida area patients meet their aesthetic goals, the surgeons of Naples Plastic Surgery offer the following top five tips to follow before your procedure:

1. Carefully Follow All Pre-Operative Instructions

When you have your pre-operative visit for surgical procedure, your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific pre-operative instructions to help ensure that you prepared for the surgery. Pre-operative instructions help prevent unforeseen complications and optimize the patient’s health to promote a smooth surgery, quick healing, and the best results.

Common pre-surgery instructions include adjustments to medications, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and dietary guidelines. Your surgeon should have asked you about any prescription medications you might be taking to ensure that they will not cause complications with the surgery or recovery. Depending on the procedure, you may need to suspend your use of certain medications. For example, you may be asked to stop taking blood thinners, as they increase the risk of excess bleeding.

If you smoke, your surgeon will ask you to quit at least six to eight weeks before the procedure and refrain from smoking several weeks following the procedure. Smoking can significantly compromise plastic surgery operative results. Smoking not only reduces blood circulation that hinders proper healing, but it also increases the risk of infection.

Because alcohol thins the blood and can interfere with the administration of anesthesia, your surgeon will likely ask you to refrain from alcohol use for at least 48 hours before the procedure. In fact, your surgeon might also advise you that limited alcohol consumption well before and after the surgery can help ensure optimal healing and results from your procedure.

Depending on the anesthesia, you may need to fast or limit food consumption for up to 12 hours before your scheduled surgery.

2. Eat Healthy Foods, Stay Hydrated, and Get Exercise

The healthiest patients typically experience the best results and speediest recovery from plastic surgery. A healthy diet, hydration, and exercise go a long way in promoting great health and supporting your immune system, which will aid in a smooth, quick recovery. In the weeks leading up to your procedure, eat healthy balanced meals, drink plenty of water, and make a point of getting daily exercise. You don’t have to start working out if exercise is not part of your weekly routine, but you should at least try to keep active. Consider going on long walks, bike rides, or partaking in other fun activities that keep you moving.

3. Plan for Post-Operative Recovery

Depending on the type of procedure you will undergo, your recovery period could take 24 hours to several weeks. During this time, you want to be as comfortable as possible and free from any stress that might impede a smooth recovery. Figure out where you will be spending most of your recovery time, and ensure that any essential items you might need are within close reach. These could include:

• Post-operative supplies (dressings, ice packs, compression garments, etc.)
• Medications
• Snacks
• Plenty of water or other hydrating fluids
• Extra bedding
• Frequently used electronic devices
• Phone charger
• Reading material
• Personal hygiene items

You should also pre-arrange for any assistance you might need during recovery. This could involve arranging care for children or pets and finding someone willing to assist with food prep, cleaning, and running errands if needed.

Naturally, this planning should include taking sufficient time off work, so make sure your surgeon has fully briefed you on what to expect during recovery. With this information, you should be able to determine how much time off the job you will need and when you can resume your employment obligations without compromising your recovery.

4. Mentally Prepare Yourself for the Surgery

Along with being excited about the physical renewal offered by plastic surgery, you will undoubtedly feel some anxiety about the potential trauma that comes with surgery. Anxiety and stress can impede a smooth recovery, so mental preparation is just as necessary as physical preparation. Mindfulness techniques, as offered by meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises, are highly effective at easing pre-surgery anxiety. Emotional support from loved ones and friends can also help ease stress, as can support from online forums and support groups.

5. Arrange Transportation

Last, if your surgery requires anesthesia, you should make arrangements for transportation to and from the surgical center, as the aftereffects will impede your ability to drive.

Contact Naples Plastic Surgery to Discuss Your Options

For the best in plastic surgery and plastic surgery prep in Southwest Florida consult with Naples Plastic Surgery. Our plastic surgeons and staff provide patients outstanding personalized service and care to ensure the utmost in comfort and outstanding aesthetic results. Learn more by contacting our Naples-based surgical center at 239.566.2611.